Israel is observing the third anniversary of the October 7, 2020, attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the kidnapping of 251 others. The day is marked by a moment of silence in Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands of Israelis gathered to remember those who lost their lives. Omri Shifroni, a survivor and organizer of a national rally, expressed hope for a brighter future and emphasized the need for new leadership in Israel.
On the morning of October 7, 2020, Shifroni and residents of Kibbutz Be'eri were attacked by over 340 gunmen, some of whom were dressed in Israeli military uniforms. The assault resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of Shifroni's niece and nephew. He stated, "I lost part of my family in Be'eri, four members of my family, my uncle, my aunt. I have four friends who were in captivity, one of them murdered in captivity."
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged shortcomings in their response during the attack, admitting that residents were left without military support for several hours. During a memorial service, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism from a grieving father who accused him of failing to protect his son. Netanyahu has attributed the attacks to failures within the security services, while critics argue he has not been held accountable despite warnings of an imminent attack.
In response to the tragedy, Shifroni co-founded the Kumu Movement, which seeks to hold the government accountable and rebuild public trust. He stated, "We too will never be who we once were. But we can choose to be better and more worthy. From here, we rise. From here, we mend. From here, we rebuild."
This report includes contributions from Melanie Lidman, Samy Magdy, Michelle L. Price, and Cara Anna of the Associated Press.